Let’s face it: the travel industry is a minefield of overpriced scams, disappointing accommodations, and airline customer service nightmares. But after 10 years of hopping around the globe and suffering through some truly terrible bookings, I’ve found the best of the best—aka, the companies that won’t completely ruin your trip (or your bank account).
Below is a carefully curated list of actual good travel resources that I use regularly—because trust me, if they weren’t reliable, I wouldn’t be recommending them.
Disclosure:
Yes, some of these are affiliate links, which means if you book through them, I get a tiny commission (at no extra cost to you). No, I don’t recommend garbage just to make a buck—because I actually want you to come back and trust my advice.
Now, let’s dive in before you end up booking a “too good to be true” flight deal from some sketchy website that only exists for credit card fraud.
🛫 Airfare: Because Overpaying for a Seat in the Sky Is Optional
Skyscanner
- My personal favorite flight search engine because it digs through all the sketchy little booking sites you’ve never heard of to find real deals.
- It also has a calendar view so you can see the cheapest days to fly instead of booking blindly and hating yourself later.
Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights)
- If you enjoy having ridiculously cheap flight deals emailed to you, this is your new best friend.
- Works best if you’re flexible and enjoy spontaneous “Oh look, I guess I’m going to Portugal now” moments.
Google Flights
- If you’re the type who needs to see all your options mapped out in front of you, Google Flights has your back.
- A great way to stalk routes, track price drops, and feel like you’re making an informed decision before panicking and booking the same overpriced flight anyway.
Point.me
- If you have a stash of credit card points but no idea how to actually use them, this will make sure you’re not wasting them on some ridiculously bad redemption.
- Pro tip: Use my code
🏨 Accommodation: Because a Place to Sleep Shouldn’t Feel Like a Horror Movie
Hostelworld
- If hostels are your thing and you want the biggest selection, this is it.
- Also useful for avoiding dorm rooms filled with drunk 19-year-olds by checking the reviews first.
Booking.com
- Consistently finds the cheapest hotel rooms, which is shocking because most hotel booking sites seem to exist just to steal your money and your will to live.
- Also lets you book without paying upfront, in case you like the thrill of almost committing to a trip.
Trusted Housesitters
- Stay in someone’s house for free in exchange for watching their cat (or fifty cats, if you’re lucky).
- Perfect for long-term travelers who don’t mind trading occasional pet-sitting duties for a free roof over their head.
Hostel Pass
- If you’re hopping around Europe and want to save up to 20% on hostels, this is for you.
- Bonus: Use code for 25% off, because I like helping people avoid paying full price like a chump.
🩺 Travel Insurance: Because the Universe Enjoys Chaos
SafetyWing
- Cheap and reliable for travelers who want coverage without feeling like they just signed a mortgage.
- Also great for digital nomads who need insurance but don’t want to think about it every month.
Medjet
- If you’re going anywhere remotely risky (or just don’t trust the local hospitals), Medjet will make sure you get airlifted out instead of being left to die in the jungle.
InsureMyTrip
- Perfect for people over 70, because some travel insurance companies apparently think old people don’t deserve coverage.
World Nomads
- Covers basically every ridiculous adventure activity you can think of, from scuba diving to bungee jumping to probably fighting bears.
- If you’re an adrenaline junkie, this is the one.
🚍 Transportation: Because Getting from Point A to Point B Shouldn’t Be a Nightmare
Trainline
- If you’re in Europe and need train tickets, this is where you get them.
- Saves you from confusing foreign train websites that refuse to translate properly.
BlaBlaCar
- Carpooling with strangers for cheap—sounds sketchy, but actually isn’t.
- Great for meeting locals who might give you actual useful travel tips (or at least play good music on the ride).
Discover Cars
- If you need to rent a car without getting absolutely scammed, use this.
- Compares 8,000+ rental locations, so you don’t have to.
Japan Rail Pass
- If you’re traveling in Japan and don’t get this pass, you’re just throwing money away on overpriced bullet train tickets.
📱 Travel Gear: Because You’ll Regret Not Having These
LifeStraw
- Filters 99.99% of bacteria and probably saves you from Montezuma’s Revenge.
- Also great for reducing plastic waste and feeling superior to people buying bottled water.
Unbound Merino
- Travel clothes that don’t smell even after wearing them for a week straight.
- No judgment—we’ve all been there.
Patagonia
- High-quality travel gear that won’t fall apart in three months.
- Yes, it’s expensive, but it lasts forever and makes you look like an eco-friendly adventurer.
🎒 Job Resources: Because Traveling Forever Isn’t Free
Worldpackers / Workaway / HelpX / WWOOF
- Work for free room and board while doing cool, sometimes questionable, but always interesting jobs.
- Great if you’re broke and need to fund your adventure without resorting to street performing.
myTEFL
- Get TEFL-certified so you can teach English abroad instead of going back to that soul-sucking 9-5.
- Use code for 50% off because I like helping people escape the grind.
Final Thought:
These are the only travel resources you’ll ever need to avoid getting ripped off and actually enjoy your trip. I’ve used them all, tested the good, the bad, and the downright scammy, so you don’t have to.
So, bookmark this list, save yourself the headache, and spend less time stressing over bookings and more time doing what you actually came here for—traveling.